Indian nuclear market is Areva's first priority

New Delhi July 20 (UNI) Areva, an international power manufacturing company today said that the Indian nuclear market is the company's first priority.

''The implementation of India's civilian nuclear power programme and the opening of the Indian market is one of our first priorities,'' Areva Chairperson Anne Lauvergeon said at the key note address on 'The Global Energy Challenge and Sustainable development: The Nuclear Option' organised by the Federation of Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

The recent US-India agreement and joint declaration between India and France provide the opportunity to open and broaden the base of Indian civil nuclear energy, she added.

"We are already there (in India) in T&D and we are willing to be major players in nuclear also.Our strategy towards the Indian market fully recognises the exiting competence and know-how of Indian industry,'' Ms Lauvergeon said.

India, she said, has to show new responsibilities as it emerges as a world-class economic power. It has to manage energy and environment in a sustainable way because India is becoming large enough to influence the world dynamics, whether oil demand or climate change issues, she added.

"Nuclear energy is and will be part of the solution and I hope that the soon-to-come opening of the nuclear market in India will speed up the implementation of the Indian civilian nuclear power programme", Ms Lauvergeon said.

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